What is the most important character flaw that must be eliminated during basic training in order to create the best enlisted service member?

That's tough to answer because each person is different. For some, it's back talking. For others, it's laziness. For others it's an inability to shoot straight. Still for others, it's physical weakness. However, across the board, I think self-centeredness is the most important character flaw that needs to be addressed. The military is a team effort. People that put themselves ahead of the team have the most detrimental affect on the mission. If you can get them to place the mission and their team mates ahead of themselves, all other flaws can be corrected.

Selfishness. In the Navy we talked about the concept of ‘Ship, Shipmate, Self’. Each individual was the least important, while the ship was the most important. That being said, I really don’t think boot camp taught it very well. My boat was the place I really came to understand the concept, and some of my shipmates never did.

I would say the high school mentality a lot of younger people have. Mom and Dad are no longer there to fix your problems or clean up after you.